Airtight covers and airtight containers

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sealed container having an opening, and a sealable cover detachably coupled to the opening of the container body. Here, the sealable cover may include: a cover body configured to cover the opening; a hinge base extending outward from the cover body; a flap rotatably connected to the hinge base by a bending portion provided on one side; and a support protrusion extending from the one side of the flap in a direction toward the cover body and having a contact portion formed at an end thereof, the contact portion being configured to contact the container body. When the flap rotates downward relative to the hinge base, the sealable cover may be coupled to the container body while a contact support surface of the contact portion is in close contact with the container body. If an imaginary line extending from the center of the cover body toward the center of the contact support surface along a horizontal direction is defined as a reference line, and a point where the container body applies a normal force toward the outside to the contact support surface is defined as a pressing point, the bending portion may be configured to be located below the pressing point and located outside the pressing point along the direction of the reference line when the sealable cover is coupled to the container body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sealed container, and more particularly, to a sealed cover and a sealed container that are easy to manufacture, convenient to use, and easy to open.

Background Art

[0002] Sealed containers are widely used to store food hygienically and extend the storage period. In a commonly used sealed container, one or more protrusions are formed on the container body, and on the cover, one or more locking wings having locking portions configured to engage with the protrusions are formed. In the case of such a sealed container, the user can close the sealed container by rotating the locking wing of the cover downward so that the locking portion of the locking wing catches on the protrusion, and can open the sealed container by rotating the locking wing of the cover upward so that the locking between the locking portion of the locking wing and the protrusion is released.

[0003] In such a sealed container, it is necessary to form protrusions on the container body so that the locking portions of the locking wings engage firmly. However, they are formed along the entire upper part of the container body or on the four sides of the container body so that the cover can be coupled to the container body regardless of the direction. That is, the cover cannot be correctly used for containers other than the container body manufactured to include protrusions, and there is a drawback that the utilization rate is significantly reduced.

[0004] Furthermore, protruding parts from the surface of the container body can make cleaning difficult. Specifically, the upper and lower parts of the protrusions form a sharp gap with the container body, so special care may be required to clean this part. When airtight containers are used to store food, this can cause hygiene problems, as the protrusions are formed on the upper part of the container body around the opening, and although this is the part that requires the utmost cleanliness, the level of cleanliness is particularly low in this area. In addition, protrusions on the container body act as a factor that makes the storage and carrying of the container inconvenient, and can act as a factor that gets in the way during use, such as by colliding with the cover or locking wings even after the cover's locking part has been separated.

[0005] On the other hand, considering the manufacturing process of sealed containers, sealed containers using locking vanes require a relatively sophisticated manufacturing method, as they can only be used if the locking portion of the vanes and the protruding portion of the container body engage precisely. Given that typical storage containers are made from materials such as glass, ceramics, and stainless steel, and that manufacturing tolerances of these materials can often reach up to + / - 2 mm, the aforementioned conventional technology is highly likely to result in defects where the locking portion does not properly engage with the protruding portion. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] Therefore, the present invention was derived to solve the aforementioned problems, and the object of the present invention is to provide a sealed cover and a sealed container that can be used on container bodies without protrusions, is easy to manufacture, convenient to use, and easy to open.

[0007] Other objects of the present invention will become clearer based on the embodiments described below. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, a sealed container according to one aspect of the present invention may include a container body having an opening and a sealed cover detachably coupled to the opening of the container body. Here, the sealed cover may include: a cover body configured to cover the opening; a hinge base extending outward from the cover body; a flap rotatably connected to the hinge base by a bent portion provided on one side; and a support projection extending from one side of the flap toward the cover body, with a contact portion formed at its end, configured to contact the container body. When the flap rotates downward relative to the hinge base, the contact support surface of the contact portion adheres closely to the container body, allowing the sealed cover to be coupled to the container body. If we define a reference line as a virtual line extending horizontally from the center of the cover body toward the center of the contact support surface, and define a pressing point as the point where the container body applies an outward normal force to the contact support surface, then when the sealed cover is coupled to the container body, the bent portion may be configured to be located below the pressing point and outward along the direction of the reference line relative to the pressing point.

[0009] Another embodiment of the present invention may include a sealed container comprising a container body having an opening and a sealed cover detachably coupled to the opening of the container body, wherein the sealed cover comprises: a cover body configured to cover the opening; a hinge base extending outward from the cover body; a flap rotatably coupled to the hinge base by a bent portion provided on one side; and a support projection extending from the one side of the flap toward the cover body, with a contact portion formed at its end, configured to contact the container body. When the flap is rotated downward relative to the hinge base, the contact support surface of the contact portion can be brought into close contact with the container body, and the sealed cover can be joined to the container body. If a virtual line extending horizontally from the center of the cover body toward the center of the contact support surface is defined as the reference line, and the point where the container body applies a normal force outward and downward toward the contact support surface is defined as the pressing point, then when the sealed cover is joined to the container body, the bent portion can be configured to be located inward relative to the pressing point along the direction of the reference line.

[0010] The sealed container according to the present invention may comprise one or more of the following embodiments. For example, the container body may include a body rim formed such that the outer diameter at a first point is greater than the outer diameter at a second point which is lower than the first point, and the contact support surface may be able to contact the first point and the second point when the sealed cover is coupled to the container body.

[0011] When the flap reaches a certain angle while rotating downward relative to the hinge base, the end of the contact portion can come into contact with the container body, and when a greater force is applied to the flap, at least one of the contact portion, the support projection, and the bent portion elastically deforms, allowing the contact portion to pass through.

[0012] The container body may be manufactured by blow molding and may include a portion below the rim of the body having an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the first point.

[0013] The sealed cover may further include a cover rim extending downward from the edge of the cover body, and the hinge base may extend outward from a designated position on the outer surface formed by the cover body and the cover rim.

[0014] The flap may be connected to a pair of hinge bases by a pair of bent portions, and the support projection may extend between the pair of bent portions toward the cover body, and a clearance groove is formed in the cover rim at a position corresponding to the space between the pair of hinge bases, so that when the flap rotates, the support projection can pass through the clearance groove.

[0015] The sealed cover may further include a locking projection extending inward from the lower part of the cover rim. If the container body includes a body rim formed such that the outer diameter at a first point is greater than the outer diameter at a second point which is lower than the first point, the locking projection may include inclined surfaces that contact the first point and the second point when the sealed cover is coupled to the container body.

[0016] The container body may have a cross-section that is circular, polygonal, or a combination of circular and polygonal shapes.

[0017] The aforementioned sealed cover may also include multiple flaps.

[0018] At least a portion of the contact support surface, the contact portion, and the support projection can be interchangeably connected to the flap. In this case, at least a portion of the contact support surface, the contact portion, and the support projection can have a lower elastic modulus than the flap.

[0019] Another embodiment of the present invention can provide a sealed cover that is detachably coupled to an opening of a container body, such a sealed cover may include: a cover body configured to cover the opening; a hinge base extending outward from the cover body; a flap rotatably coupled relative to the hinge base by a bend on one side; and a support projection formed at its end, which extends from the one side of the flap toward the cover body and is configured to contact the container body, and when the flap rotates downward relative to the hinge base, the sealed cover can be coupled to the container body while the contact support surface of the contact is in close contact with the container body, and if a virtual line extending horizontally from the center of the cover body toward the center of the contact support surface is defined as a reference line, and the point at which the container body applies an outward normal force to the contact support surface is defined as a pressing point, then when the sealed cover is coupled to the container body, the bend may be configured to be located below the pressing point and outward along the direction of the reference line relative to the pressing point.

[0020] A further embodiment of the present invention can provide a sealed cover that is detachably coupled to an opening of a container body, such a sealed cover may include: a cover body configured to cover the opening; a hinge base extending outward from the cover body; a flap rotatably coupled relative to the hinge base by a bend on one side; and a support projection formed at its end, which extends from the one side of the flap toward the cover body and is configured to contact the container body, and when the flap is rotated downward relative to the hinge base, the sealed cover can be coupled to the container body while the contact support surface of the contact portion is in close contact with the container body, and if a virtual line extending horizontally from the center of the cover body toward the center of the contact support surface is defined as a reference line, and the point at which the container body applies outward and downward normal forces to the contact support surface is defined as a pressing point, then when the sealed cover is coupled to the container body, the bend may be configured to be located inward along the direction of the reference line relative to the pressing point.

[0021] The means for solving the problems of the present invention as described above can be expected to have various effects, including the following. However, the present invention is not established only when all of the following effects are achieved.

[0022] An embodiment of the present invention provides a sealed cover and a sealed container that can seal the container body even without forming any protrusions on the container body. This makes the manufacturing of the sealed cover and container body easier, and makes the use and opening of the sealed container easier. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0023] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary sealed container according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a top-down perspective view of the container body of a sealed container according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3]A perspective view of the closed cover according to an embodiment of the present invention, seen from below. [Figure 4] A diagram showing the process of sealing the sealed container according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] A diagram showing the process of sealing the sealed container according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] A diagram showing the process of sealing the sealed container according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] A cross-sectional view showing an enlarged contact portion of the sealed container according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] The present invention can be subjected to various transformations and can have multiple embodiments. Therefore, specific embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, and it should be understood to include all transformations, equivalents, or alternatives included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention. When explaining the present invention, if it is determined that a specific explanation of related known technologies obscures the gist of the present invention, the detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

[0025] The terms used in this application are merely used to explain specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning. In this application, terms such as "including" or "having" are only intended to specify the presence of the features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and it should be understood that the presence or addition possibility of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof is not precluded in advance.

[0026] Terms such as "First," "Second," etc., may be used to describe various components, but these components should not be limited by such terms. These terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. When describing with reference to the attached drawings, regardless of the reference numerals used in the drawings, identical or corresponding components will be given the same reference numeral, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0028] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a sealed container 1000 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a top-down perspective view of the container body 500a and 500b of the sealed container 1000, and Figure 3 is a bottom-up perspective view of the sealed cover 100.

[0029] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, a sealed container 1000 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a sealed cover 100 and a container body 500, the sealed cover 100 being detachably coupled to an opening 550 of the container body 500 to seal the inside of the container body 500.

[0030] First, referring to Figure 2, the container body 500 can form an internal space, and this internal space can be opened through an opening 550 formed at the top. For the sake of explanation, the portion of the container body 500 surrounding the opening 550 is referred to as the body rim 510, and the outer diameter of the part of the body rim 510 with the largest outer diameter is referred to as the first outer diameter.

[0031] In the container body 500a shown in Figure 2(a), a second outer diameter portion 520 having a second outer diameter smaller than the first outer diameter is formed below the body rim 510, and a third outer diameter portion 530a below the second outer diameter portion 520 has an outer diameter smaller than the second outer diameter.

[0032] On the other hand, in the container body 500b shown in Figure 2(b), the body rim 510 and the second outer diameter portion 520 are formed identically, but the third outer diameter portion 530b has a larger outer diameter than the second outer diameter. The container body 500b shown in Figure 2(b) can be manufactured, for example, by blow molding, and by using blow molding, the container body 500b can be made to include a portion below the body rim 510 that has a larger outer diameter than a first point on the body rim 510 (for example, a portion having a first outer diameter).

[0033] As shown in Figure 2, in a structure in which the container body 500 includes a second outer diameter portion 520 below the main rim 510, the main rim 510 can have a shape in which the outer diameter at the first point 512 (see Figures 5 to 7) is larger than the outer diameter at the second point 517 (see Figures 5 to 7), which is lower than the first point 512. An embodiment of the present invention of a sealed container 1000 may include the container bodies 500a and 500b shown in Figure 2, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, even if the first point 512 and the second point 517 of the main rim 510 do not form a gentle slope or bend, but rather a sharp protrusion or stepped jaw, it is possible to realize a first point 512 with a large outer diameter at a high position and a second point 517 with a small outer diameter at a low position.

[0034] Furthermore, the main rim 510 of the container body 500 does not necessarily have to have a shape in which the outer diameter decreases at the second point 517 compared to the first point 512. Even if the main rim 510 maintains the same outer diameter over a predetermined length in the vertical direction, it is still possible to attach the sealed cover 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Even if the main rim 510 maintains the same outer diameter, the sealed cover 100 can be applied, so the sealed cover 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention can be applied to a wide range of container bodies 500. The container body 500 can be realized with a circular, polygonal, a combination of circular and polygonal shapes, and various other shapes, and the main rim 510 can also have a circular or polygonal cross-section.

[0036] Referring to Figure 3, the sealed cover 100 can be detachably coupled to the opening 550 of the container body 500, and when the sealed cover 100 is coupled to the container body 500, it can be configured to seal the inside of the container body 500. The sealed cover 100 may include all or part of the cover body 110, cover rim 120, internal rib 130, cover stepped jaw 140, clearance groove 150, locking projection 160, hinge base 170, bent portion 180, and flap 190. The flap 190 may also include a support projection 200 and a contact portion 210, the contact portion 210 may include a contact support surface 220.

[0037] The cover body 110 is a portion configured to cover the opening 550 of the container body 500, and can generally occupy the maximum area of ​​the sealed cover 100. The cover body 110 may be configured to be flat overall, but may be embodied in various shapes as needed. In some embodiments, transparent material may be used for all or part of the cover body 110. Since the cover body 110 serves to cover the opening 550 of the container body 500, the diameter of the cover body 110 may be greater than or equal to the outer diameter of the body rim 510.

[0038] The cover rim 120 can extend downward from the edge of the cover body 110. The inner rib 130 can extend downward inside the cover rim 120 with an even smaller diameter, and preferably the outer diameter of the inner rib 130 can be formed to be smaller than the opening 550 of the container body 500. When the user attaches the sealed cover 100 to the container body 500, the body rim 510 of the container body 500 can be inserted between the cover rim 120 and the inner rib 130 of the sealed cover 100. Locking projections 160 can be formed on the cover rim 120 at the required positions, and holes 135 can be formed in the inner rib 130 at corresponding positions, allowing injection molding using a slide core mold to be applied to the manufacture of the sealed cover 100.

[0039] The stepped jaw 140 can be formed on the edge of the cover body 110 inside the cover rim 120. The stepped jaw 140, together with the inner rib 130, can form a packing groove 145 for inserting packing (not shown). When the user attaches the sealed cover 100 to the container body 500, the packing (not shown) of the container body 500 can press against the body rim 510 to seal the inside of the container body 500.

[0040] The clearance groove 150 corresponds to the groove formed in the cover rim 120. As shown in Figure 3, the clearance groove 150 can be formed in the cover rim 120 at a position corresponding to the support projection 200 and the contact portion 210 so that the cover rim 120 does not obstruct the movement of the contact portion 210 when the user moves the flap 190.

[0041] The locking projection 160 can be formed in a manner that extends inward from the lower part of the cover rim 120 at a specific position. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the lower surface of the locking projection 160 is flat in a horizontal plane parallel to the cover body 110, while the upper part of the locking projection 160 forms an inclined surface 165. As described in relation to Figure 2, if the body rim 510 has a shape in which the outer diameter decreases at a second point 517 that is lower than a first point 512, the locking projection 160 can be configured to contact the first point 512 and the second point 517 of the body rim 510, and in some embodiments, the locking projection 160 can contact the first point 512 and the second point 517 of the body rim 510 by the inclined surface 165. In particular, if the cross-section of the main rim 510 has an inclined shape in which the outer diameter decreases from the first point 512 to the second point 517, the inclined surface 165 of the locking projection 160 can be formed in a shape corresponding to the inclination of the main rim 510.

[0042] Of course, the locking projection 160 does not necessarily need to have an inclined surface 165 to contact the first point 512 on the main rim 510 and the second point 517 located lower thereunder. The locking projection 160 may have, for example, an L-shaped bend. In some embodiments, the locking projection 160 may be configured to extend only horizontally and contact only the second point 517 on the main rim 510, which has a reduced outer diameter below the first point 512. As mentioned above, if the main rim 510 maintains the same outer diameter over a predetermined length in the vertical direction, the locking projection 160 may have a shape that correspondingly has the same inner diameter over a corresponding length in the vertical direction.

[0043] Figure 3 shows an example in which the sealed cover 100 includes one flap 190 and two locking protrusions 160, but the number and position of the flaps 190 and locking protrusions 160 can vary. In particular, in some embodiments in which the sealed cover 100 includes multiple flaps 190, the locking protrusions 160 can be omitted.

[0044] The hinge base 170 can extend outward from the cover body 110, specifically from a designated position on the outer surface formed by the cover body 110 and the cover rim 120. As shown in Figure 3, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a flap 190 can be connected to a pair of hinge bases 170, and a clearance groove 150 can be formed between the pair of hinge bases 170.

[0045] The bent portion 180 is the part to which the flap 190 is connected to the hinge base 170, and the flap 190 can be connected so as to be rotatable relative to the hinge base 170. The bent portion 180 can be formed along a straight line so that the flap 190 can rotate easily. In some embodiments, the hinge base 170 and the flap 190 can be molded integrally from the same material, in which case the bent portion 180 can be formed to a thickness that provides sufficient strength to allow the flap 190 to rotate without easily breaking.

[0046] The flap 190 is a portion that is rotatably connected to the hinge base 170 by a bent portion 180 provided on one side. A support projection 200 is provided on the same side of the flap 190 as the bent portion 180. When the flap 190 is raised as shown in Figure 3, the sealed cover 100 can be separated from the container body 500, and when the flap 190 is rotated downward, the contact portion 210 formed at the end of the support projection 200 adheres tightly to the container body 500, and the sealed cover 100 can be coupled to the container body 500.

[0047] As described above, in some embodiments not shown, the sealed cover 100 may include a plurality of flaps 190, which may be connected to a plurality of hinge bases 170 formed at different locations. If a sufficient number of flaps 190 are provided, the sealed cover 100 may not include the locking projections 160.

[0048] The support projection 200 can extend from the same side of the flap 190 where the bent portion 180 is provided toward the cover body 110. A contact portion 210 may be provided at the end of the support projection 200. When the user rotates the flap 190 downward, the support projection 200 and the contact portion 210 provided thereon pass through the clearance groove 150, so that they can move without getting caught on the cover rim 120.

[0049] The contact portion 210 is formed at the end of the support projection 200 and is configured to contact the container body 500. In particular, a contact support surface 220 may be formed on the portion of the contact portion 210 that contacts the container body 500 when the flap 190 is rotated completely downward. For reference, the contact portion 210 can be formed to a size that presses against the body rim 510 as the flap 190 rotates downward. For example, when the flap 190 reaches a certain angle as it rotates downward relative to the hinge base 170, the end of the contact portion 210 can come into contact with the container body 500. If a greater force is applied to the flap 190 in this state, at least one of the contact portion 210, the support projection 200, and the bent portion 180 will elastically deform, allowing the contact portion 210 to pass beyond the portion where pressure contact occurs and perform a locking process. This structure allows the sealed cover 100 to lock more firmly against the container body 500.

[0050] The contact support surface 220 is part of the contact portion 210, and when the flap 190 is rotated downward relative to the hinge base 170, the contact support surface 220 can be configured to be in close contact with the container body 500. As described above, if the body rim 510 of the container body 500 has a larger outer diameter at the first point 512 and a smaller outer diameter at the second point 517 which is lower than the first point 512, the contact support surface 220 may be configured to make contact with both the first point 512 and the second point 517 when the sealed cover 100 is coupled to the container body 500.

[0051] In some embodiments, the flap 190, support projection 200, contact portion 210, and contact support surface 220 can be integrally molded from the same material, in which case the contact portion 210 and contact support surface 220 can be formed of material and dimensions that maintain the aforementioned locking process and effective sealing state.

[0052] On the other hand, in some embodiments, at least a portion of the support projection 200, the contact portion 210, and the contact support surface 220 may be formed from a different material than the flap 190. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the material used for the contact support surface 220 may have a lower elastic modulus than the material used for the flap 190. Having a lower elastic modulus than a comparison material means that elastic deformation occurs more readily in that material than in the comparison material. If the contact support surface 220 has a lower elastic modulus, the contact support surface 220 can adhere more closely to the surface of the container body 500. For example, if a plastic such as polypropylene (PP) is used as the material for the flap 190, a rubber agent such as silicone with a lower elastic modulus may be used for the contact support surface 220. In yet another example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the material used for the contact portion 210 and / or the support projection 200 may have a lower elastic modulus than the material used for the flap 190. In this case, the aforementioned locking process can be performed more easily.

[0053] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the support projection 200, contact portion 210, and contact support surface 220 can be configured to be coupled to the flap 190. This allows different materials to be applied to the aforementioned components and allows worn or damaged parts to be replaced as needed.

[0054] The process of sealing the sealed container 1000 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 4 to 7. Each of Figures 4 to 6 is a diagram showing the process of sealing the sealed container 1000 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the contact portion 210 in the sealed container 1000 according to one embodiment of the present invention. For reference, the term "reference line" is used in this specification, where the reference line L refers to an imaginary line extending horizontally from the center of the cover body 110 to the center of the contact support surface 220. In Figures 4 to 6, the cross-sectional view shown in (b) is a cross-sectional view cut along the line A-A shown in the plan view in (a), and a part of the line A-A is parallel to the reference line L.

[0055] First, the structure of the sealed cover 100 prevents the inner surface of the cover body 110 from coming into contact with a surface such as a table when the sealed cover 100 is separated from the container body 500. Since the cover rim 120 extends downward from the cover body 110, it can come into contact with the surface such as a table first, allowing the cover body 110 to maintain a horizontal position. This prevents the inner surface of the cover body 110 from being contaminated with foreign matter, and conversely, it also prevents the contents of the sealed container 1000 that may be adhering to the inner surface of the cover body 110 from contaminating the surface such as a table.

[0056] Referring to Figure 4, when closing the sealed container 1000, the user can place the sealed cover 100 on the container body 500, with the body rim 510 positioned between the cover rim 120 and the internal rib 130. With respect to the flap 190, the sealed cover 100 can be positioned slightly behind the container body 500 (to the left in Figure 4(b)).

[0057] In the state shown in Figure 4, the locking projection 160 is not yet in complete contact with the main body rim 510. For reference, it is preferable that the position where the locking projection 160 is formed on the sealed cover 100 is located within a range exceeding 90 degrees to the left and right of the reference line L (i.e., a 180-degree range on the opposite side of the flap 190). Even when the locking projection 160 is not yet in contact with the main body rim 510, the sealed cover 100 can maintain a stable posture because the internal rib 130 is formed to be slightly smaller than the opening 550 of the container body 500.

[0058] Figure 5 shows the state in which the user is rotating the flap 190 downward. In Figure 5, the locking projection 160 does not yet need to be in close contact with the main body rim 510. Meanwhile, as the flap 190 rotates downward, the contact portion 210 formed at the end of the support projection 200 comes into contact with the surface of the container body 500.

[0059] Referring to the enlarged view in Figure 5(b), the main rim 510 shows a first point 512 with a larger outer diameter at a higher position and a second point 517 with a smaller outer diameter at a lower position. The main rim 510 is such that the first point 512 and the second point 517 are naturally connected, and its cross-section can form an inclination or bend.

[0060] Furthermore, the enlarged view in Figure 5(b) shows that the upper part of the contact portion 210 and a part of the main body rim 510 overlap. This represents the position of the contact portion 210 together with the main body rim 510 when no elastic deformation occurs in any part of the sealed cover 100. In other words, if no elastic deformation occurs in the sealed cover 100, the contact portion 210 will catch on the main body rim 510, and the flap 190 will not be able to rotate downwards all the way.

[0061] However, as mentioned above, the sealed cover 100 can be formed of a material that is elastically deformable in at least part of it, and elastic deformation occurs in at least one of the contact portion 210, the support projection 200, and the bent portion 180, allowing the contact portion 210 to pass through the portion where pressure contact occurs against the main body rim 510. Specifically, as the user rotates the flap 190 downward, when the flap 190 reaches a certain angle, the end of the contact portion 210 can come into contact with the container body 500, for example, with the second point 517 shown in Figure 5(b). If the user applies a greater force to the flap 190 in this state, the contact portion 210 is pressed against the main body rim 510, and the pressing force causes elastic deformation in at least one of the contact portion 210, the support projection 200, and the bent portion 180, allowing the contact portion 210 to pass beyond the portion where pressure contact occurs.

[0062] Figure 6 shows the state in which the flap 190 has rotated 90 degrees after passing the portion where the contact portion 210 is pressed. As described above, by the user continuing to push the flap 190 downward while the upper end of the contact portion 210 is in contact with the surface of the main body rim 510, the contact portion 210 can overcome the pressed contact state in which it is caught on the main body rim 510. Since a gap groove 150 is formed in the cover rim 120 of the sealed cover 100 at a position corresponding to the support projection 200 of the flap 190, the contact support surface 220 of the contact portion 210 can pass through the gap groove 150 and make close contact with the main body rim 510.

[0063] In particular, in this state, the main rim 510 presses against the contact support surface 220 while the cover body 110 can be pulled along the reference line in the direction of the flap 190, and as a result, the locking projection 160 can be brought into close contact with the main rim 510, as shown in Figure 6(b). The locking projection 160 may be brought into close contact with only the first point 512 of the main rim 510, or only the second point 517, or both the first point 512 and the second point 517, as described above. When the cover body 110 is pulled in the direction of the flap 190, the packing (not shown) inserted into the packing groove 145 aligns with the top of the main rim 510, and the opening 550 can be completely sealed.

[0064] The principle by which the sealed cover 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention tightly seals the container body 500 will be explained in more detail below with reference to Figure 7. Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the contact portion 210 in a sealed container according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] Figure 7 shows an example in which the contact support surface 220 of the contact portion 210 contacts a first point 512 and a second point 517 of the main rim 510, and four sections A, B, C, and D are shown centered on the first point 512. The four shown sections A, B, C, and D are used to explain the possible positions of the bent portion 180 based on the point where the contact support surface 220 abuts the main rim 510, with section A representing the inner upper part, section B representing the inner lower part, section C representing the outer lower part, and section D representing the outer upper part. In the cross-sectional view of Figure 7, the horizontal direction is parallel to the reference line L. As mentioned above, the reference line L is a line that runs horizontally from the center of the cover body 110 to the center of the contact support surface 220.

[0066] In the structure shown in Figure 7, the main rim 510 applies an outward normal force to the contact support surface 220 of the contact portion 210 at the first point 512, with the first point 512 acting as the pressing point, and the bent portion 180 is located relatively outward and lower relative to the pressing point. In other words, the bent portion 180 is located below the first point 512 that applies the outward normal force and is located outward along the direction of the reference line L. That is, the bent portion 180 is located in section C.

[0067] When viewed with reference to a reference line L extending horizontally from the center of the cover body 110 to the center of the contact support surface 220, the bent portion 180, including the contact support surface 220 and the contact portion 210, corresponds to the axis of rotation relative to the hinge base 170 in the portion connected to the flap 190.

[0068] Therefore, when the bent portion 180 is located in section C, the normal force applied by the main body rim 510 due to the contact between the contact support surface 220 and the main body rim 510 acts on the bent portion 180, which is the axis of rotation, and can apply a force in a direction that rotates the flap 190 downward around the bent portion 180. Taking the configuration in Figure 7 as an example, the outward normal force applied to the contact support surface 220 at the first point 512, which is the pressing point, causes the flap 190, which is connected by the contact portion 210 and the support projection 200, to rotate clockwise around the bent portion 180. In Figure 7, the clockwise rotation of the flap 190 is an operation in the direction that locks the sealed cover 100, so the sealed cover 100 can maintain its state of being connected to the opening 550 of the container body 500.

[0069] In the state shown in Figure 7, the main rim 510 applies a normal force outward to the contact support surface 220 at the first point 512, pulling the sealed cover 100 relative to the container body 500 in the direction of the reference line L. At positions other than the position of the illustrated flap 190, other flaps 190 or locking projections 160 are provided, which can similarly be tightly attached to the main rim 510. As a result, the sealed cover 100 becomes fixed to the container body 500 in the horizontal direction.

[0070] On the other hand, if the main rim 510 includes a second point 517 that is lower than the first point 512 and has an even smaller outer diameter, the contact support surface 220 can also contact the second point 517. In this case, since the contact support surface 220 contacts the second point 517, that is, the portion of the first point 512 with a reduced outer diameter, the sealed cover 100 can be kept fixed in the vertical direction as well. That is, if an upward force is applied to the sealed cover 100 when it is locked, the contact support surface 220 can catch on the upper part of the second point 517, preventing the sealed cover 100 from opening.

[0071] However, as mentioned above, the locked state of the sealed cover 100 can be maintained simply by the main rim 510 applying an outward normal force to the contact support surface 220 at the pressing point. Therefore, the main rim 510 does not necessarily need to have a shape in which its outer diameter decreases at the second point 517 compared to the first point 512. Even if the main rim 510 maintains the same outer diameter over a predetermined length in the vertical direction, it is still possible to connect the sealed cover 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the frictional force between the contact support surface 220 and the main rim 510 can play a role in fixing the sealed cover 100 in the vertical direction.

[0072] Next, although not shown in the figures, a case where the bent portion 180 is located in a different section will be described. In some embodiments, the bent portion 180 may be located in section B. Since the division of sections A, B, C, and D with respect to the first point 512 is done within a vertical plane containing the reference line L, the case where the bent portion 180 is located in section B can include, for example, a case in a circular cover body 110 where the hinge base 170 and the bent portion 180 are separated from the contact portion 210 along the circumference (i.e., the imaginary line from the center of the cover body 110 to the bent portion 180 forms a large angle with respect to the reference line L). Of course, even in structures where an inwardly recessed portion is formed in the cover body 110 and the body rim 510, and the bent portion 180 is formed in the recessed portion, the bent portion 180 can be located in section B.

[0073] Even when the bent portion 180 is located in section B, the normal force exerted by the main body rim 510 due to the contact between the contact support surface 220 and the main body rim 510 acts on the bent portion 180, which is the axis of rotation, and can apply a force in a direction that causes the flap 190 to rotate downward around the bent portion 180. The outward normal force applied to the contact support surface 220 at the first point 512 causes the flap 190, which is connected by the contact portion 210 and the support projection 200, to rotate downward around the bent portion 180, thereby maintaining the sealed cover 100 connected to the opening 550 of the container body 500.

[0074] Although not shown in the diagram, the main rim 510 applies a normal force outward and downward to the contact support surface 220 of the contact portion 210 at the second point 517, with the second point 517 acting as a pressing point, and the bent portion 180 is located inward relative to the pressing point along the direction of the reference line L. This corresponds to the case where the bent portion 180 is located in section A or section B with respect to the second point 517.

[0075] When the bent portion 180 is positioned in section B with respect to the second point 517, the outward component of the normal force applied to the contact support surface 220 at the second point 517, which is the pressing point, acts to rotate the flap 190 downward, thereby maintaining the sealed cover 100 in a connected state.

[0076] On the other hand, when the bent portion 180 is located in section A with respect to the second point 517, the downward component of the normal force applied to the contact support surface 220 at the second point 517, which is the pressing fulcrum, can act in a direction that pulls the cover body 110 outward and downward. With the body rim 510 interposed between the contact support surface 220 and the cover body 110, the normal force of the pressing fulcrum pulls the contact portion 210 and the cover body 110 toward each other, so that the sealed cover 100 can maintain a fixed state in the horizontal and vertical directions.

[0077] Of course, if the bent portion 180 is located in section A or section B with respect to the first point 512 or the second point 517, the normal force at the pressing point can partially act in a direction that rotates the flap 190 upward. Therefore, if the bent portion 180 is located in section A or section B, the size, shape, and position of the hinge base 170, flap 190, support projection 200, contact portion 210, and contact support surface 220 can be designed such that the normal force component acting to close the sealed cover 100 is greater than the normal force component acting to open the sealed cover 100.

[0078] A sealed cover 100 and a sealed container 1000 equipped therewith according to one embodiment of the present invention can seal the container body 500 even if no protrusions are formed on the container body 500, and this feature offers a wide range of advantages.

[0079] First, the fact that the container body 500 does not require any protrusions means that the sealed cover 100 can be attached to a wide variety of existing container bodies 500, thus greatly increasing the usability of the sealed cover 100. Also, since there are no protrusions formed on the container body 500, it is more convenient to carry and store the container body 500, easier to clean, and easier to maintain a high level of cleanliness of the container body 500. When the sealed cover 100 is opened, there is no possibility of the sealed cover 100 hitting or getting caught on any protrusions on the container body 500, making it easier to open the sealed container 1000.

[0080] From a manufacturing standpoint, there is no need to form protrusions on the container body 500, and the container body 500 can be manufactured with a basically simpler shape. Since there are no parts that require precise dimensional processing such as protrusions or locking parts, the range of permissible tolerances can be greatly increased. The sealed cover 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention can also be manufactured by relatively simple injection molding.

[0081] Although the above has been described with reference to one embodiment of the present invention, a person with ordinary skill in the art will understand that the present invention can be modified and altered in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the following claims.

Claims

1. A sealed container comprising a container body having an opening and a sealed cover detachably coupled to the opening of the container body, The aforementioned sealed cover is A cover body configured to cover the aforementioned opening; A hinge base extending outward from the cover body; A flap rotatably connected to the hinge base by a bend provided on one side; The flap includes a support projection that extends in a direction toward the cover body from one side of the flap and has a contact portion formed at its end that is configured to contact the container body, When the flap rotates downward relative to the hinge base, the contact support surface of the contact portion adheres tightly to the container body, and the sealed cover is coupled to the container body. If the point at which the container body applies an outward normal force to the contact support surface is defined as the pressing point, then the sealed container is configured such that, with the sealed cover attached to the container body, the bent portion is located below the pressing point and outside the pressing point.

2. A sealed container comprising a container body having an opening and a sealed cover detachably coupled to the opening of the container body, The aforementioned sealed cover is A cover body configured to cover the aforementioned opening; A hinge base extending outward from the cover body; A flap rotatably connected to the hinge base by a bend provided on one side; The flap includes a support projection that extends in a direction toward the cover body from one side of the flap and has a contact portion formed at its end that is configured to contact the container body, When the flap is rotated downward relative to the hinge base, the contact support surface of the contact portion adheres tightly to the container body, and the sealed cover is connected to the container body. If the point at which the container body applies a normal force outward and downward to the contact support surface is defined as the pressing point, then the sealed container is configured such that, with the sealed cover attached to the container body, the bent portion is located inward relative to the pressing point.

3. The container body includes a body rim formed such that the outer diameter at a first point is larger than the outer diameter at a second point which is lower than the outer diameter at the first point. The sealed container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sealed cover is attached to the container body, and the contact support surface is in contact with the first point and the second point.

4. The sealed container according to claim 3, wherein when the flap reaches a certain angle while rotating downward relative to the hinge base, the end of the contact portion contacts the container body, and when a greater force is applied to the flap, at least one of the contact portion, the support projection, and the bent portion elastically deforms so that the contact portion passes through.

5. The sealed container according to claim 3, wherein the container body is manufactured by blow molding and includes a portion below the rim of the body having an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the first point.

6. The sealed cover further includes a cover rim extending downward from the edge of the cover body, The sealed container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hinge base extends outward from a designated position on the outer surface formed by the cover body and the cover rim.

7. The sealed container according to claim 6, wherein the flap is connected to a pair of hinge bases by a pair of bent portions, the support projection extends in a direction toward the cover body between the pair of bent portions, and a clearance groove is formed in the cover rim at a position corresponding to the space between the pair of hinge bases, and when the flap rotates, the support projection passes through the clearance groove.

8. The sealed container according to claim 6, further comprising a locking projection extending inward from the lower part of the cover rim, wherein the sealed cover further comprises a locking projection.

9. The container body includes a body rim formed such that the outer diameter at a first point is larger than the outer diameter at a second point which is lower than the first point. The sealed container according to claim 8, wherein the sealing cover is attached to the container body, and the locking projection includes an inclined surface that contacts the first point and the second point.

10. The sealed container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the container body has a cross-section that is one of a circular shape, a polygonal shape, or a shape that combines a circular shape and a polygonal shape.

11. The sealed container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sealed cover includes a plurality of flaps.

12. The sealed container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a portion of the contact support surface, the contact portion, and the support projection is interchangeably connected to the flap.

13. The sealed container according to claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the contact support surface, the contact portion, and the support projection has a lower elastic modulus than the flap.

14. A sealed cover that is detachably attached to the opening of the container body, A cover body configured to cover the aforementioned opening; A hinge base extending outward from the cover body; A flap rotatably connected to the hinge base by a bend provided on one side; The flap includes a support projection that extends in a direction toward the cover body from one side of the flap and has a contact portion formed at its end that is configured to contact the container body, When the flap rotates downward relative to the hinge base, the contact support surface of the contact portion adheres tightly to the container body, and the sealed cover is connected to the container body. If the point at which the container body applies an outward normal force to the contact support surface is defined as the pressing point, then the sealed cover is configured such that, when the sealed cover is coupled to the container body, the bent portion is located below the pressing point and outside the pressing point.

15. A sealed cover that is detachably attached to the opening of the container body, A cover body configured to cover the aforementioned opening; A hinge base extending outward from the cover body; A flap rotatably connected to the hinge base by a bend provided on one side; The flap includes a support projection that extends in a direction toward the cover body from one side of the flap and has a contact portion formed at its end that is configured to contact the container body, When the flap is rotated downward relative to the hinge base, the contact support surface of the contact portion adheres tightly to the container body, and the sealed cover is connected to the container body. If the point at which the container body applies a normal force outward and downward to the contact support surface is defined as the pressing point, then the sealed cover is configured such that, when the sealed cover is coupled to the container body, the bent portion is located inward relative to the pressing point.

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